In The Bean Trees, Marietta "Missy" Greer completely changes herself and surroundings in a cross country adventure that takes her from Pittman County, Kentucky, to Tucson, Arizona. Missy lived in Pittman until she graduated high school, working at the local hospital, with little expectations for her life. Her only goals in life at Pittman were to graduate high school and avoid getting pregnant. Missy's life would seem fairly predictable and average, but she had a plan to get out of Pittman. She bought a '55 Volkswagen bug and she had every "intention to drive out of Pittman County one day and never look back, except maybe for mama." The only thing Missy lived for and will care to remember of Pittman was her mother.
Through out the book, MIssy is forced to change her attitude and way of life. On her way West, Missy decided to change her name to Taylor in order to make a fresh start. This became known when Taylor said, "I wasn't crazy about anything I had been called up to that point in like, and this seemed like the time to make a clean break." On her way to Arizona she stopped in Oklahoma causing her to have a Cherokee child forced on her. Once in Tucson, Taylor is forced to meet new people, get a job, take care of a child that is not even hers, and eventually transport illegal aliens who are her friends. Tucson changed Taylor in many ways that Pittman never could.
By the end of the book, Taylor became an independent young woman. She had more dreams and ambitions than just graduating and the avoidance of pregnancy. She had to take carrre of her now legal daughter April "Turtle" Greer to the best of her ability, and continue working in order to support herself and Turtle. She learned how to become a true friend in desperate situations and put friendship first among everything that goes on in life. The Bean Trees shows that people can strive no matter the situation or circumstances as long as there is someone to help you along the way.
Through out the book, MIssy is forced to change her attitude and way of life. On her way West, Missy decided to change her name to Taylor in order to make a fresh start. This became known when Taylor said, "I wasn't crazy about anything I had been called up to that point in like, and this seemed like the time to make a clean break." On her way to Arizona she stopped in Oklahoma causing her to have a Cherokee child forced on her. Once in Tucson, Taylor is forced to meet new people, get a job, take care of a child that is not even hers, and eventually transport illegal aliens who are her friends. Tucson changed Taylor in many ways that Pittman never could.
By the end of the book, Taylor became an independent young woman. She had more dreams and ambitions than just graduating and the avoidance of pregnancy. She had to take carrre of her now legal daughter April "Turtle" Greer to the best of her ability, and continue working in order to support herself and Turtle. She learned how to become a true friend in desperate situations and put friendship first among everything that goes on in life. The Bean Trees shows that people can strive no matter the situation or circumstances as long as there is someone to help you along the way.